Admission Requirements

 

To be eligible for consideration by the Vision Science MS Program Committee, you must meet the minimum requirements:

 

 

  • A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution
  • A satisfactory performance (C or higher) on all undergraduate prerequisites
  • Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOFEL score at 550 or better) for applicants whose native language is not English

 

 

The degree requirements for admission are flexible in order to accommodate students who come to vision science from a variety of backgrounds. Details are described below.

Pacific University College of Optometry has established institutional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with several academic programs world wide. Graduates or current students of these programs may follow the admissions criteria provided in the individual MOU at your institution. Such agreements will specify the extent to which students from that program meet the prerequisites. Please see the list of institutional Collaboration for schools/institutes who have MOU agreement with Pacific University College of Optometry.

The Program Brochure can be downloaded here:

 

Bachelor’s (or equivalent) Degree

 

You must hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent). Equivalency is determined by Vision Science MS Program Committee.

Individuals who are candidates for a bachelor are eligible to apply and may be admitted on a provisional basis, subject to proof of degree completion. An official transcript showing degree completion must be submitted or the admission will be withdrawn.

 

 

English Language Proficiency Requirement

 

A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to Pacific University.  If English is not your native language, you must provide a valid proof of English language proficiency at the time of admission. This requirement applies to all applicants, including resident aliens, citizens, and international applicants under Institutional MOU. 

At the time of application, if you meet all other academic qualifications but do not meet the minimum requirements for English proficiency and require English language preparation, you can still apply. Conditional admission may be given based on other qualifications that you have. However, you will need to fulfill the minimum English proficiency on TOEFL or IELTS exam before you can be fully accepted to the degree program. Satisfactory TOFEL or IELTS score or other proof of English Proficiency needs to be submitted by April 20th to be matriculated into the program in August of the same year.

Conditional Admission is valid for two application cycles. Applicants who receive conditional admission must fulfill the requirement of English Proficiency by April 20th either in the same year of application or in the following year. Failure to do so will void the conditional admission, and the applicant will need to re-apply to the program.


       List of Valid Proof of English Language Proficiency

 

TOEFL IELTS
Paper-based      Internet-based
550 overall

Minimum per section:
52 reading
52 listening
52 structure/written expression		 213 overall

Minimum per section:
19 reading
18 listening
20 structure/writing		 80 overall

Minimum per section:
17 reading
17 listening
14 writing
15 speaking		 6.0 overall

Minimum sub-cores per section:
6.0

 

    Examples of Invalid Proof of English Language Proficiency